KR20230124605A - OPTIMIZED STRUCTURAL SUPPORT IN CATHETER INSERTION SYSTEMS - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a catheter placement system that includes a distal extensible support device. When deploying elongated catheters, an advancing insertion system is required to maintain “touch-free” insertion. Longer needles are preferred for accessing deeper veins or penetrating deeper superficial tissue. The distal extensible support device provides circumferential support to either the elongate catheter or needle, thereby preventing buckling or kinking of the catheter, and maintaining the needle tip within a predetermined bending arm distance. This prevents the user from making direct contact with either the needle or catheter to provide additional support, thus maintaining a “touch-free” insertion.

Description

OPTIMIZED STRUCTURAL SUPPORT IN CATHETER INSERTION SYSTEMS

The present disclosure relates to a catheter insertion system.

Briefly summarized, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an optimized structural support device for catheter insertion systems and related methods. A common method of deploying an elongated catheter, such as a central venous catheter (CVC), rapid insertion central catheter (RICC), or others, is to repeatedly insert and remove multiple devices from the insertion site, and to enter the patient. It requires direct handling of placement tools, catheters, devices, and the like. Handling these devices directly during insertion is often necessary to prevent buckling or bending when axial forces are applied.

State-of-the-art catheterization systems have been developed that include housings, needles, guide wires, dilators, and/or blood flash indicators configured to access the vasculature, ensure correct vessel access, dilate the insertion site, and place the catheter. there is. Advantageously, such state-of-the-art catheter insertion systems can include the aforementioned structures within an enclosed environment, thereby enabling “touch-free” placement of the catheter and reducing the introduction of pathogens. . Nevertheless, during deployment in such insertion systems, portions of the catheter may still be unsupported, and thus may be exposed to buckling or bending when the catheter is axially pushed into the insertion site.

Also, when accessing the vasculature to deploy the catheter, longer needle lengths may be desirable to accommodate a wider patient population. Longer needle lengths can access deeper veins or penetrate deeper superficial tissue. However, a longer needle provides a longer bending arm, ie the length of the unsupported needle. Shorter needle bending arms, i.e., shorter unsupported needle lengths, are desirable because shorter needle bending arms provide less flexion, increased accuracy, and increased tactile feedback to the clinician when approaching the vasculature. because it provides Since these state-of-the-art catheterization systems have "pre-loaded" needles, needle exchange is not possible and must provide a completely different system suitable for different patients, e.g. pediatric or adult, or Clinicians must manipulate the needle themselves to support the needle when it enters the body, which increases the risk of infection.

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a catheter placement system with an increased structural support device to address the aforementioned problems.

Disclosed herein is a catheter placement system comprising: a needle supported by a needle hub; a catheter defining a catheter lumen, the needle extending through a portion of the catheter lumen; and a housing, wherein the housing includes: a body; A catheter advancement assembly releasably engaged with the hub of the catheter, the catheter advancement assembly being slidably engaged with the body between proximal, medial and distal positions. ; and a distal support slidably engaged with the body between a retracted position and an extended position, the distal support having a nose defining a channel for receiving the portion of the catheter through which it is passed. including a nose portion;

In some embodiments, the distal support is configured to transition the catheter assembly from the proximal position to the intermediate position when the distal support transitions from the retracted position to the extended position. In some embodiments, the catheter advancement assembly is configured to transition the distal support from the retracted position to the extended position when the catheter advancement assembly is transitioned from the intermediate position to the distal position. In some embodiments, the catheter advancement assembly includes an abutment, the body includes a cam surface, and when the catheter advancement assembly transitions from the intermediate position to the distal position, the catheter advancement assembly includes the An abutment is configured to engage the cam representation to cause the first portion of the body to be spaced laterally from the second portion of the body.

In some embodiments, the nose portion includes a door hinged thereto, and the door is rotatable to an open position to allow egress of the portion of the catheter from the channel. The distal support is configured to extend distally from the housing to hold the nose portion within a predetermined distance from the tip of the needle. The predetermined distance is a needle bending arm length of 7 cm or less. In some embodiments, the catheter placement system further includes a blood flash indicator configured to receive blood flow from the needle lumen. In some embodiments, the catheter is a CVC catheter or a RICC catheter.

Also disclosed is a method of deploying a catheter within the vasculature of a patient, the method comprising: accessing a needle to the vasculature, the needle comprising a portion of the catheter extending from a housing and annularly disposed thereon. Ham -; sliding a catheter advancing assembly from a proximial position to a medial position to advance a portion of the catheter into the vasculature; actuating the distal support from a retracted position to an extended position; advancing the catheter advancement assembly from the intermediate position to a distal position; separating the first portion of the housing to be laterally spaced apart from the second portion of the housing; and disengaging the housing from the catheter upward in the transverse direction.

In some embodiments, the catheter advancement assembly includes an abutment, wherein the abutment is laterally spaced apart from the second portion of the housing when the catheter advancement assembly transitions from the intermediate position to the distal position. It is configured to engage a cam surface of the body of the housing to release the first portion of the housing. In some embodiments, the distal support includes a nose portion defining a channel and is slidably coupled with the catheter, the nose portion when the catheter advancement assembly transitions from the intermediate position to the distal position. A portion of the catheter provides rigid columnar support. In some embodiments, the nose portion includes a door hinged thereto, and the door moves from a closed position to an open position to permit withdrawal of the catheter from the channel along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. position).

In some embodiments, the method further comprises withdrawing the needle proximally before advancing the catheter advancement assembly from the proximal position. In some embodiments, the catheter advancement assembly releasably engages a portion of the catheter with an interference fit, press fit, or snap fit fit. In some embodiments, the method further comprises extending the distal support distally from the housing to maintain the nose portion within a predetermined distance from the tip of the needle. In some embodiments, the predetermined distance is a needle bending arm length of 7 cm or less. In some embodiments, the method further includes sliding the blood flash indicator along the longitudinal axis to create a vacuum and draw blood flow through the lumen of the needle. In some embodiments, the catheter is a CVC catheter or a RICC catheter.

A more detailed description of the present disclosure will be made with reference to specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be considered limiting the scope of the invention. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described and explained in further detail and detail using the accompanying drawings.
1A shows a perspective view of an exemplary catheter insertion system, in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein.
1B depicts a side view of an exemplary catheterization system, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.
1C shows a plan view of an exemplary catheter insertion system, in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein.
2A shows an exploded view of an exemplary catheterization system, in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein.
2B shows an exploded view of a housing of an exemplary catheter insertion system, in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein.
3A-3J illustrate an exemplary method of use of a catheter insertion system, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein.

This patent application claims the benefit of priority to US provisional application Ser. No. 63/128,694, filed on December 21, 2020, the aforementioned US patent application being incorporated herein by reference.

Before discussing some specific embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein do not limit the scope of the concepts presented herein. It is also to be understood that a particular embodiment disclosed herein may have features that are readily separable from that particular embodiment, and that can be optionally combined with or substituted for features of any number of other embodiments disclosed herein. There will be.

With respect to the terms used herein, it should be understood that the terms are for the purpose of describing some specific embodiments and that the terms do not limit the scope of the concepts presented herein. Ordinal numbers (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) are generally used to distinguish or identify different features or steps within a group of features or steps, and do not provide serial or numerical limitations. no. For example, “first”, “second”, and “third” features or steps do not necessarily appear in that order, and a particular embodiment incorporating such features or steps necessarily includes all three features or steps. It need not be limited to steps. Labels such as “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom”, “anterior”, “rear”, etc. are used for convenience and imply, e.g., any particular fixed location, orientation, or direction. It is not intended to Instead, such labels are used, for example, to reflect relative position, orientation, or direction. Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents.

In the following description, the terms "or" and "and/or" as used herein should be construed to include or mean any one or any combination. By way of example, "A, B or C" or "A, B and/or C" is any of: "A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, A, B and C" means that Exceptions to this definition occur only when combinations of elements, components, functions, steps or operations are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

With reference to "proximal", for example, the "proximal portion" or "proximal end portion" of a catheter disclosed herein includes the portion of the catheter that is intended to be proximate to a clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. Likewise, for example, the "proximal length" of a catheter includes the length of the catheter intended to be close to the clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. For example, the "proximal end" of the catheter includes the end of the catheter that is intended to be proximate to the clinician when the catheter is used on a patient. The proximal portion, proximal end portion, or proximal length of the catheter may include the proximal end of the catheter; The proximal portion, proximal end portion, or proximal length of the catheter need not include the proximal end of the catheter. That is, unless the context indicates otherwise, the proximal portion, proximal end portion, or proximal length of the catheter is not the distal portion or distal length of the catheter.

With reference to "distal", for example, the "distal portion" or "distal end portion" of a catheter disclosed herein refers to the portion of a catheter intended to be positioned proximate to or within a patient when the catheter is used with respect to a patient. includes Likewise, for example, the "distal length" of a catheter includes the length of the catheter intended to be positioned proximate to or within the patient, when the catheter is used with respect to the patient. For example, the “distal end” of a catheter includes the end of a catheter intended to be positioned proximate to or within a patient when the catheter is used on a patient. The distal portion, distal end portion, or distal length of the catheter may include the distal end of the catheter; The distal portion, distal end portion, or distal length of the catheter need not include the distal end of the catheter. That is, unless the context indicates otherwise, the distal portion, distal end portion, or distal length of the catheter is not the distal portion or distal length of the catheter.

To help illustrate the embodiments described herein, as shown in FIG. 1A, the longitudinal axis extends substantially parallel to the axial length of the catheter. The lateral axis extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis extends perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis. A horizontal plane may be defined by a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, and a vertical plane may extend perpendicular to the horizontal plane. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of skill in the art.

1A-2A show an exemplary catheter insertion system ("system") 100, generally comprising a needle 110, a catheter 120, a housing 130, and a blood flash indicator 150. do. Optionally, insertion system 100 may further include one or more guide wires (not shown). The needle 110 may define a needle lumen 114 and is supported by a needle hub 112 disposed at its proximal end. Needle 110 may be configured to extend through at least a portion of the lumen of catheter 120 . Distal tip 116 of needle 110 may extend distal of the distal tip of catheter 120 and may define a sharp tip configured to pierce the skin and access blood vessels.

Catheter 120 may be a central venous catheter (CVC), rapid insertion central catheter (RICC), or similar elongated catheter configured to provide access to the patient's vasculature. As shown in FIG. 2A , catheter 120 includes an access section 162 defining a first diameter, an extension section 164, and a catheter body section 166 defining a second diameter greater than the first diameter. Including, it may be a RICC catheter (120).

Access section 162 may define a single lumen and may be formed of a harder durometer material compared to catheter body section 166 . Catheter body section 162 may define one or more lumens and may be formed of a softer and more pliable material than access section 162 . The extension section 164 may be formed from the same material as the access section 162 or from a third material. The third material may be a harder durometer compared to the material of the catheter body section 166 . The expansion section 164 can provide a tapered transition between the first diameter of the access section 162 and the second diameter of the catheter body section 166 . The access section 162 and extension section 164 can provide relatively stiffer mechanical properties, and can provide relatively greater kinking or collapse compared to the catheter body section 166 when an axial force is applied thereto. resistance to collapsing. The catheter body section 166 may be relatively more flexible, thereby allowing easier progression along a tortuous vascular pathway. In embodiments, catheter 120 may further include hub 168, bifurcation 170, and/or one or more extension legs 172 each in communication with a lumen of catheter 120. . In embodiments, the needle 110 extends through the extension leg 172, through the lumen of the catheter body section 166, and through the lumen of the access section 162 to the distal tip of the catheter 120. It can be extended distally.

Catheter insertion system 100 may further include a housing 130 configured to support needle 110 and catheter 120 , as described in more detail herein. Catheterization system 100 may further include a blood flash indicator 150 in fluid communication with needle lumen 114 . Blood flash indicator 150 may include a container configured to receive blood flow therein. The container may be formed of a transparent material so that the user can observe the color and pulse flow inside. In embodiments, the blood flash indicator may include a vacutainer configured to maintain a vacuum internally to assist in drawing blood flow through the needle lumen 114 and proximally into the vacutainer. do.

In an embodiment, the blood flash indicator 150 may include a syringe barrel 154 and a plunger 156, the syringe barrel 154 and plunger 156 being slidably engaged with the blood flash indicator 150. and configured to form a vacuum for drawing blood flow proximally through the needle lumen 114 and into the syringe barrel 154 . In an embodiment, the plunger 156 can be fixedly coupled with the housing 130 to prevent any longitudinal movement relative to the housing. The plunger 156 may be coupled to the housing 130 by interference fit engagement, snap-fit engagement, press-fit engagement, adhesion, welding, bonding, or the like. . Syringe barrel 154 may be supported by barrel cradle 158 . The barrel 154 and barrel cradle 158 assembly can be slid relative to the plunger 156 and housing 130 assembly, sliding the barrel 154 and cradle 158 assembly proximally within the barrel 154. It can be configured to form a vacuum in. In an embodiment, the barrel cradle 158 may be formed of a transparent material.

In an embodiment, the blood flash indicator 150 may be fluidly coupled to the needle lumen 114 with a flexible tube 152 or otherwise. Advantageously, flexible tube 152 allows the syringe barrel to slide proximally relative to needle interface 140 . Advantageously, by reversing the action of the syringe blood flash indicator 150, the syringe barrel 154 can be slid proximally to create a vacuum and the fluid path between the blood flash indicator 150 and the needle tip 116. length can be shortened. Additionally, the action of the syringe barrel 154 and plunger 156 still allows the clinician to utilize the tactile and visual feedback provided through the syringe-based blood flashback system. Advantageously, moving the syringe barrel 154 proximally moves the barrel 154 away from the distal end of the insertion device 100 to provide a clearer line of sight at the insertion site and motion, such as guidewire advancement. Manipulation of the assembly, catheter advancement assembly, hinged housing portion, and the like can be made.

In use, the clinician may access the vasculature by inserting the needle tip 116 and the distal portion of the access section 162 into the vasculature. Blood flow may flow proximally through the needle lumen 114 to the blood flash indicator 150 . Accurate vascular access can be confirmed by observing color and pulsatile flow. In case of incorrect vascular access, the access section 162 can be withdrawn and, due to the relatively small diameter of the access section 162, the insertion site can be closed with the application of pressure. If correct vascular access is confirmed, the catheter 120, optionally over a guide wire, until the expansion section 164 enters the insertion site and expands the insertion site to the second diameter of the catheter body section 166; can advance Catheter body section 166 can then be advanced until the distal portion of catheter 120 reaches a target location within the vasculature. For additional details regarding RICC catheters and related insertion systems and methods, see U.S. Patent Nos. 10,376,675; US Patent Publication U.S. 2019/0255294, U.S. 2021/0069471, U.S. 2021/0085927, U.S. 2021/0113809, U.S. 2021/0113810, U.S. 2021/0121661, U.S. 2021/0121667, U.S. 2021/0228843, U.S. 2021/0322729, U.S. 2021/0330941, U.S. 2021/0330942, and U.S. 2021/0361915, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 2B shows additional details of housing 130 , which generally include body 132 , distal support 134 , catheter advancement assembly 136 , and blood flash indicator 150 . The housing 130 may include a body 132, which is disposed at a proximal end and through an opening 118 disposed in the wall of the needle 110 to provide a needle lumen 114 and a blood flash indicator. and a needle interface (140) configured to provide fluid communication between (150). Distal support 134 may be coupled to body 132 to be slidable between a retracted position ( FIG. 3D ) and an extended position ( FIG. 3E ) along a longitudinal axis. Distal support 134 may include a handle 178 that allows a user to grip distal support 134 and to toggle distal support 134 between retracted and extended positions. .

The distal support 134 may further include a nose portion 180 disposed at the distal end and defining a channel 182, the channel 182 extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to receive therethrough a portion of the catheter 120. It consists of The catheter 120 may be slidably coupled to the channel 182 . Thus, distal support 134 can be coupled with catheter 120 and can provide rigid, columnar support to catheter 120, thereby providing catheter 120 when a longitudinal force is applied to the catheter ( 120) can be prevented from buckling or bending. Also, as described in more detail herein, distal support 134 may extend distally to support the portion of catheter 120 advanced from housing 130 . This may provide circumferential support to the catheter 120 while preventing the user from touching a portion of the catheter 120 intended to enter the patient's body.

In a similar manner, distal support 134 may also provide rigid support to a portion of needle 110 . As described herein, longer needles may be advantageous in accommodating a wider patient base, access to deeper veins, or penetration of deeper skin tissue, but are more likely to improve accuracy and provide improved tactile feedback. A short bending arm (x) (FIG. 1A) is preferred. Generally, a bending arm (x) length of 7 cm or less is preferred, but longer or shorter lengths are contemplated depending on the material or structure of the needle 110. Thus, when the needle tip 116 extends beyond the predetermined bending arm length x from the housing 130, the user extends the distal support 134 to provide a ridged support to the needle tip 116. ) to the needle 110 within a predetermined bending arm length (x).

In embodiments, nose portion 180 may include one or more doors 138 hingedly coupled with distal support 134 . In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3I , door(s) 138 can be rotated between closed and open positions through an arc extending through a vertical plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3H , door(s) 138 can be rotated laterally between closed and open positions through an arc extending through a horizontal plane. In the closed position, door 138 may prevent a portion of catheter 120 from dislodging from channel 182 . In the open position, door 138 may allow a portion of catheter 120 to enter or exit channel 182 .

In an embodiment, the catheter advancing assembly 136 can be slidably coupled with the body 132 along a longitudinal axis between a proximal position ( FIG. 3C ), an intermediate position ( FIG. 3D ), and a distal position ( FIG. 3E ). The catheter advancing assembly 136 may be releasably coupled with a portion of the catheter 120 . For example, the catheter advancement assembly may releasably retain the catheter hub 168 with an interference fit, press fit, or snap fit. However, it will be appreciated that other mechanisms for releasably engaging catheter 120 are also contemplated. It will also be appreciated that the catheter advancing assembly 136 may couple with other portions of the catheter 120, such as catheter body section 166, bisecting portion 170, combinations thereof, or the like. Sliding the catheter advancement assembly 136 between the proximal, intermediate, and distal positions may advance the catheter 120 along the longitudinal axis.

3A-3J show an exemplary method of use of the catheter insertion system 100 . As shown in FIG. 3A , the user can grip the housing 130 and advance the needle tip 116 through the patient's skin surface 80 to create an insertion site 90 and underneath it The patient's vasculature is accessible. As described herein, needle tip 116 may extend from housing 130 a predetermined distance x. The predetermined distance x, the needle bending arm, will be within a tolerance to provide support to the needle 110, but to prevent bending or breaking of the needle 110 when force is applied. In an embodiment, the predetermined distance x is equal to or less than 7 cm, but values greater or less than that are contemplated. As can be appreciated, the predetermined distance x may vary depending on the structure and material of the needle 110 .

As shown in FIG. 3B , the user can actuate the barrel cradle 158 to slide the syringe barrel 154 relative to the housing body 132 in a proximal direction. Plunger 156 coupled to housing body 132 remains stationary relative to housing 130 as barrel 154 slides proximally, thereby creating a vacuum within syringe barrel 154. . The vacuum draws blood flow proximally through needle lumen 114 , through needle aperture 118 , through needle interface 140 , through flexible tube 152 , and into syringe barrel 154 . As noted herein, the syringe barrel 154 and optionally the barrel cradle 158 may be formed of a transparent material for easy viewing of blood flow color and pulsatile flow.

As shown in FIG. 3C , once vascular access is confirmed, needle hub 112 can be withdrawn proximally and tip 116 can be withdrawn proximally of the distal tip of catheter 120 . In an embodiment, for example, the needle tip 116 is proximal to one of the access section 162, extension section 164, catheter body section 166, hub 168, bisecting portion 170, Alternatively, the needle 110 may be further withdrawn such that it is completely withdrawn from the catheter 120 .

As shown in FIG. 3D , the user can then slide the catheter advancing assembly 136 and the catheter 120 coupled thereto from a proximal position to an intermediate position to advance the catheter 120 into the insertion site 90. When the expansion section 164 is pushed into the insertion site 90, the insertion site 90 expands to the second diameter of the catheter body section 166. Of note, catheter body section 166 may include two or more lumens, each of which communicates with an opening disposed in the sidewall of catheter body section 166 adjacent dilated section 164 .

When the catheter advancing assembly 136 is advanced to its mid-portion (FIG. 3D), the distal support 134 can be slid distally from the housing body 132, from the retracted position to the extended position (FIG. 3E). In an embodiment, the catheter advancement assembly 136 may be advanced to an intermediate position simultaneously with the distal support 134 advanced to the extended position. Advantageously, simultaneous advancement of catheter advancement assembly 136 and distal support 134 allows nose portion 180 to provide rigid support to catheter 120 as catheter 120 is advanced. . In an embodiment, when the distal support 134 is in the extended position, the catheter advancing assembly 136 can be advanced from an intermediate position ( FIG. 3D ) to a distal position ( FIG. 3E ). Advantageously, the catheter advancement assembly 136 and distal support 134 can be selectively advanced by a user for advancement of the catheter 120, directly at the portion of the catheter 120 entering the patient's body. Without the need to touch, it is possible to provide catheter 120 with support to prevent buckling or bending of catheter 120 .

In embodiments, system 100 includes one or more gears, levers, or similar mechanisms to allow longitudinal movement of one or both of distal support 134 and catheter advancement assembly 136 and nose portion 180 and catheter A mechanical advantage may be provided between the resulting movement of one or both of (120). For example, as shown in FIGS. 3C-3E , upon user input of the longitudinal distance in one unit, an output of the longitudinal distance in one unit is achieved, i.e., movement of the distal support handle 178 of 1 cm. The 1:1 mechanical advantage resulting in the movement of the nose portion 180 of this 1 cm is shown. Similarly, movement of the catheter advancing assembly 136 of 1 cm results in movement of the catheter 120 of 1 cm. In an embodiment, the system 100 includes a mechanism that provides a 1:>1 mechanical advantage, i.e., a movement of the distal support handle 178 of 1 cm results in a movement of the nose portion 180 greater than 1 cm. can do. Likewise, movement of catheter advancing assembly 136 of 1 cm results in movement of catheter 120 greater than 1 cm.

3F and 3G show close-up details of a bottom-side scene of system 100. In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3F and 3G , the catheter advancement assembly 136 may include an abutment surface 174 configured to engage a cam surface 176 of the housing body 132 . As the catheter advancing assembly 136 transitions from the intermediate position ( FIG. 3F ) to the distal position, the abutment surface 174 engages the cam surface 176 to engage two or more portions 132A, 132B of the housing body 132 . It can be compressed at a distance in the lateral direction. As described in more detail below, separating housing portions 132A and 132B may provide a longitudinal opening, thereby disengaging housing body 132 and catheter 120 in a transverse direction. there is. 3G shows a bottom view of system 100, where catheter advancing assembly 136 is in a distal position and distal support 134 is in an extended position.

3H-3J , with distal support 134 in an extended position and catheter advancing assembly 136 in a distal position, catheter 120 is deployed within the vasculature and catheter hub 168 ) is disposed adjacent to the insertion site 90 . Advantageously, the user can thus deploy the catheter 120 without having to directly touch the catheter 120 distal to the catheter hub 168 . Once the catheter 120 is deployed, the door 138 of the nose piece 180 can be rotated to an open position, thereby causing the nose piece 180 and catheter 120 to disengage (FIG. 3H, Fig. 3i). In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3H , system 100 may include a first door 138A and a second door 138B, each door configured to rotate relative to housing 130 . . In embodiments, the door(s) 138 can rotate through a longitudinal axis, through a vertical plane, through a horizontal plane, or at an angle thereto. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3I , the first door 138A can be rotated relative to the second door 138B, and the second door 138B remains stationary relative to the housing 130. . In an embodiment, the door 138 can be rotated through an axis extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, eg, a lateral vertical plane. It is contemplated that these and other numbers, orientations, or configurations of doors 138 are within the scope of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3J , housing 130 may then disengage transversely and upwardly with catheter 120 , leaving catheter 120 disposed within the patient's vasculature. Advantageously, catheter placement system 100 can deploy catheter 120 while maintaining axial support to prevent buckling and prevent a user from touching any part of the catheter.

Although some specific embodiments have been disclosed herein and certain embodiments have been disclosed in some detail, such specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the concepts presented herein. Additional adaptations and/or modifications may be made by those skilled in the art and, in a broader sense, such adaptations and/or modifications are also included. Accordingly, adaptations and/or modifications may be made from the specific embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the concepts presented herein.

Claims (19)

As a catheter placement system,
a needle supported by a needle hub;
a catheter defining a catheter lumen, the needle extending through a portion of the catheter lumen; and
housing;
Including,
The housing is:
body;
A catheter advancement assembly releasably engaged with the hub of the catheter, the catheter advancement assembly being slidably engaged with the body between proximal, medial and distal positions. ; and
a distal support slidably engaged with the body between a retracted position and an extended position, the distal support having a nose portion defining a channel for receiving the portion of the catheter through which it is passed; (nose portion) -;
including,
catheter placement system. According to claim 1,
wherein the distal support is configured to transition the catheter advancement assembly from the proximal position to the intermediate position when the distal support transitions from the retracted position to the extended position.
catheter placement system. According to claim 1,
wherein the catheter advancement assembly is configured to transition the distal support from the retracted position to the extended position when the catheter advancement assembly is transitioned from the intermediate position to the distal position.
catheter placement system. According to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The catheter advancement assembly includes an abutment, the body includes a cam surface, and when the catheter advancement assembly is transitioned from the intermediate position to the distal position, the abutment of the body. configured to engage the cam surface to cause the first portion to be spaced laterally from the second portion of the body.
catheter placement system. According to claim 1,
The nose portion includes a door hinged thereto, and
wherein the door is rotatable to an open position to permit egress of the portion of the catheter from the channel.
catheter placement system. According to claim 1,
wherein the distal support is configured to extend distally from the housing to hold the nose portion within a predetermined distance from the tip of the needle.
catheter placement system. According to claim 6,
The predetermined distance is a needle bending arm length of 7 cm or less,
catheter placement system. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a blood flash indicator configured to receive blood flow from the lumen of the needle.
catheter placement system. According to claim 1,
The catheter is a CVC catheter or a RICC catheter,
catheter placement system. As a method of placing a catheter,
providing a needle, the needle comprising a portion of the catheter extending from the housing and annularly disposed thereon;
sliding a catheter advancing assembly from a proximial position to a medial position to advance a portion of the catheter to a target;
actuating the distal support from a retracted position to an extended position;
advancing the catheter advancement assembly from the intermediate position to a distal position;
separating the first portion of the housing to be laterally spaced apart from the second portion of the housing; and
disengaging the housing from the catheter in a transverse upward direction;
including,
method. According to claim 10,
The catheter advancement assembly includes an abutment, wherein the abutment is laterally spaced from the second portion of the housing when the catheter advancement assembly transitions from the intermediate position to the distal position. configured to engage the cam surface of the housing to separate the
method. According to claim 10 or 11,
The distal support includes a nose portion defining a channel and is slidably engaged with the catheter, the nose portion being part of the catheter when the catheter advancement assembly transitions from the intermediate position to the distal position. providing rigid columnar support with
method. According to claim 12,
The nose portion includes a door hinged thereto, and the door is configured to transition from a closed position to an open position to permit withdrawal of the catheter from the channel along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. made up,
method. According to claim 10,
withdrawing the needle proximally before advancing the catheter advancement assembly from the proximal position;
Including more,
method. According to claim 10,
wherein the catheter advancement assembly releasably engages a portion of the catheter with an interference fit fit, press fit fit or snap fit fit;
method. According to claim 12,
extending the distal support distally from the housing to maintain the nose portion within a predetermined distance from the tip of the needle;
Including more,
method. 17. The method of claim 16,
The predetermined distance is a needle bending arm length of 7 cm or less,
method. According to claim 10,
sliding the blood flash indicator along the longitudinal axis to create a vacuum and draw blood flow through the lumen of the needle;
Including more,
method. 11. The method of claim 10,
The catheter is a CVC catheter or a RICC catheter,
method.